Tax season is close, and tax planning is a must every year if you want to save your hard-earned money. Are you looking to upgrade your home? That’s good news, considering you can write off a lot of home improvements from your taxes.

If you’re wondering if you can get a tax break on home improvements that you do, the answer is an emphatic “yes”. However, much like anything related to taxes, there are caveats, exceptions, and specifics you need to follow. Here are the home improvements that you can write off as tax deductions.

1. ENERGY-EFFICIENT HOME IMPROVEMENTS

Successful real estate agents know that among the best options for tax-deductible improvements to your home are energy-efficient upgrades. The government has encouraged energy-efficient homes for a while now. Homeowners can receive a tax credit for energy-efficient homes upgraded until the end of 2021.

Energy-efficient improvements include low-E windows, doors, rooves, insulation, and even skylights. You can also deduct hot water heaters, central AC, air-source heat pumps, and circulation fans. 

If you add these to your home, you can expect a tax credit of as much as 10% of the cost, up to $500. You can also specify an amount that goes between $50 and $300, which changes depending on the improvement you make.

For those looking to utilize renewable energy sources like solar energy, fuel cells, geothermal heat pumps, wind turbines, and even biomass fuel, you’re also eligible for a tax credit. You may qualify for a federal tax credit that amounts to 26 percent.

2. HOME OFFICES IMPROVEMENTS

Home offices are becoming a norm, and whether you’re using essential home renovation tools or not, you can get a home office deduction for yourself. Using a portion of your home as an office for your business can net you a tax deduction. However, there are specific requirements that you need to fulfill.

You have to be a business owner with a legitimately registered business entity, for starters. You also have to prove that you exclusively use one specific part of your home for your business. If you can qualify, you can expect as much as 100% of the cost of improvement.

Improvements to your home are depreciable according to how much you use the room as a home office. You can also take a simplified deduction for your home office, where you get a $5 deduction for every square foot of your home used for business, up to $1500 for a 300 square-foot space.

The good news with home offices is that repairs and improvements are eligible for the tax deduction if you qualify for the tax break. The caveat is that the repairs have to be on the parts of your home used for your business.

3. HOME IMPROVEMENTS FOR MEDICAL CARE

Another home improvement that you can do that can qualify as a tax deduction are improvements towards medical care for a family member. These facilities are added for seniors or differently-abled members of the family to allow better mobility.

You can deduct expenses for medical equipment installed in your home if its primary purpose is to care for you, your spouse, or a dependent. These can be several kinds of improvements, including:

• Building entrance and exit ramps
• Support bars and pulls for the bathroom
• Adding lifts for your staircase
• modifying/powering your cabinets
• Improving fire alarms and smoke detectors

When getting this tax deduction, make sure to claim it within the year. You can cover these home improvements under this tax and get your deduction when you apply for it.

The issue with home improvements as medical expenses is that you can’t deduct the entire cost. Even if you itemize, you can only deduct the value beyond 7.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI).

4. HOME IMPROVEMENTS FOR PROPERTY SALES

Not all home improvements can score you an immediate deduction. Then again, these special improvements can lower your tax bill once you sell your home.

For homeowners, qualified homeowners are eligible to exclude as much as $250,000 if you’re single, with up to $500,000 for married homeowners. The law notes that this calculation is based on the total financial investment you have on the property at the date of sale.

Any improvements that add value to your home, prolong its use, or adapt to new services are deductible from the home’s sales tax. If you make improvements using your Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC), then the interest you accrue is deductible if you qualify for itemization.

If you make resale-focused home improvements, these home improvements will be part of your sale basis, which are tax exempt. The tax deductions can be available once you sell your home, so it’s vital to ensure that you itemize receipts and track where your money’s spent. This includes labor costs, so you need to be extra careful to not lose out on money.

5. HOME IMPROVEMENTS FOR PARTIAL OR FULL RENTAL PROPERTY

Another way that you can depreciate your home improvement costs is if you rent out a specific portion of your home. By renting out a room or a location in your home to others, you can set the cost of upgrades as rental expense. The amount is then deductible from the rental income that you receive.

Much like renting out a second home if you have it, there are specific caveats apart from getting a portion of your rental income depreciated. For starters, you need to split expenses between the unrented parts of your home and the area that you rent out. This includes mortgage interest, mortgage insurance, and even real estate taxes.

With qualified home improvement projects, you can also deduct expenses like electricity from your rental. Liability insurance is also something that you can deduct in its entirety because it qualifies as a rental expense.

Rental repairs can also be deducted within the year that they were completed. You can depreciate any upkeep that you need to do to maintain a habitable space for tenants. Room additions are also deductible over time with depreciation.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Not all home improvements are tax-deductible, but there are many that you can add to your list if you qualify for specific tax perks. Knowing how you can be eligible is essential, and it should save you a good chunk of money. If you’re doing home renovations, see if you have the requirements we listed above.

Guest Contributor: Kat Sarmiento

As the winter is at our doorsteps, we need to remind ourselves of the troubles the low temperatures can cause. Just as we are affected by the cold weather, our plumbing systems may also suffer if not properly maintained and prepared, especially in colder parts of the states, where temperatures drop below freezing. Everyone should get familiar with common winter plumbing problems to avoid potential troubles. Since even the smallest fracture, or insulation problem, can lead to complete failure of your water system. On the other side, with simple maintenance and regular inspection, you can easily discover the threats before they cause additional issues and expenses.

 

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION ABOUT COMMON WINTER PLUMBING PROBLEMS

Because of water inside the plumbing systems, pipes, drains, and even water heaters are vulnerable in winter. Fortunately, Keving Szabo Jr Plumbing professionals have a few pieces of advice for you. You will be able to understand what happens in extremely cold weather, what troubles it can cause, and what to pay attention to. Even if issues occur, you will know where to look for help.

 

From the experience of our skilled plumbers, here are some of the most common winter plumbing problems:

 

1. Frozen pipes inside your home
2. Problems with your water heater
3. Winter problems with kitchen drains
4. Frozen pipes outside your home
5. Problems with outdoor drainage
6. Issues with sump pumps
7. Winter plumbing problems with your septic system

 

1. FROZEN PIPES INSIDE YOUR HOME

During the winter months, pipes that supply water to your home may freeze. This usually happens on the outer walls because they are not as protected as the inner ones, particularly on spots where the pipe insulation might not be as good as it should be. While preventing the water flow is not so dangerous, the real danger is coming from the ice. Due to its expanding nature, it may cause cracks, fractures, and deformation of your pipes. As a result, the water may leak, often in not so easily approachable places, like inside the walls themselves. Even worse, you may not even realize the real problem until it has already caused considerable damage.

 

To prevent this from happening, you have several options:

• Check insulation on your pipes before winter arrives
• Leave your faucets slightly open during the winter so the flow can prevent water from freezing.
• If possible, expose the pipes to the warmth from inside the home by opening the cabinets under the sinks
• Make sure your pipe system has operational valves to reduce the pressure

Remember, water damage can cause not only temporary but also long-term consequences. Any potential damage can have negative effects on the value of your property. Not only will you have to pay to fix the damage, but you will also need to repair everything ruined with leakage. If by any chance trouble occurs, your best option is to call professionals to fix the problem.

 

2. PROBLEMS WITH YOUR WATER HEATER

With more significant differences in water temperatures and potential increased usage during the holidays, your water heater will work harder in winter. If you already have problems with insufficient hot water, consider replacing it before winter comes. In addition to small repairs, depending on the type of the heater, you will also need to inspect the tank and all the pipelines. At least once a year, it’s necessary to completely drain and clean your water heater. Also, you will have to check valves, pipes, and insulation, especially if you live in a larger house. To prevent any eventual emergencies in the cold winter days, call your local plumber to help you with inspection on time.

 

3. WINTER PROBLEMS WITH KITCHEN DRAINS

The third part of the inner preparations of your plumbing before winter concerns kitchen drains. Just like the heaters, your kitchen sink and other drains in your home will be under additional pressure. People usually prepare food more often during the winter, especially because it’s the holiday season. So, you have to be ready and check everything to prevent clogging.

Some of the necessary steps to prevent problems are: 

• Check your garbage disposal and drains and clean them thoroughly
• Avoid pouring greasy and thick fluids down the pipes
• Flush the drains with hot water even after cleaning
• Use stoppers to prevent larger pieces from clogging your sink
• Practice separating the garbage by using trashcans more often

Again, if you can’t properly clean the kitchen drains, call professionals to help you.

4. FROZEN PIPES OUTSIDE YOUR HOME

Those living in houses often have problems with outdoor water systems during winter, especially if they own a garden or water features. As you can assume, unprotected pipes can easily break during the cold winter days. That’s why it’s necessary to protect your hose bibbs, for example. For this purpose, use insulating covers and disconnect and drain them for the season. As professional movers from evolutionmovingdfw.com notice, this is a common mistake many people make when they are in a hurry while packing and preparing to leave their home for the winter holidays.

5. PROBLEMS WITH OUTDOOR DRAINAGE

Just like the pipes can freeze, so can outdoor drains. Because of the temperature changes, weak and vulnerable plastic components can easily break. To prevent it from happening, consider replacing them with metal counterparts. They have considerably less chance to break from temperature contractions. Also, don’t forget to clean the leaves and debris that often piles inside gutters. And make sure all the drainage is not clogged so water may drain when the snow is melting.

 

6. ISSUES WITH SUMP PUMPS

If you have a sump pump, make sure it is functional before winter arrives. Even if everything is alright, you should not forget to check it often during winter. If it is in the basement, maintain the temperature in the room to prevent freezing. Clean the area close to your foundation from snow so it doesn’t cause a flood in your basement. Also, don’t forget the snow and dirt that can accumulate on your roof. Clean them as well, so it doesn’t pose an additional threat once the snow starts to melt.

7. WINTER PLUMBING PROBLEMS WITH YOUR SEPTIC SYSTEM

Finally, you will need to check if your septic system is adequately protected and ready for the winter. This is easily one of the most common winter plumbing problems that can cause you a lot of unpleasantries. Even with the minor damage and leakage, the odor can take months to disappear, especially if the surrounding soil is soaked due to leakage. Ensure there is no erosion around your septic system, check if the plumbing is functioning correctly, and get a temperature isolating cover if you suspect it might be required. And, of course, make sure the tank is empty and ready for the winter. If you are not comfortable with these tasks, you should not hesitate to call a plumber to make necessary preparations and repairs.

Commercial kitchens can be a difficult design project for plumbers. They are complex enough to rival the entire plumbing system of a household. Common plumbing designs such as those found in apartments and office buildings only require a few types of plumbing fixtures: sinks, mop basins, and lavatories. These fixtures are common to plumbing engineers, who have a lot of experience with them. A commercial kitchen, on the other hand, requires specialized equipment and plumbing fixtures that include specialized equipment such as industrial dishwashers, waste grinders, and soda dispensers.

Many plumbers choose to specialize in commercial kitchen design. A layout of the equipment with the specifications is the starting point in the design process. This requires collaboration between the plumber and the commercial kitchen consultant. The equipment is responsible for determining factors such as the size of the piping, the water heater capacity, and specifications for grease interceptors.

Commercial kitchen plumbing design is not only a challenging engineering field but also requires specialized knowledge that varies by country. Because kitchen equipment can have a negative impact on public health, the requirements are also influenced by health authorities. 

This article will give an overview of the plumbing requirements for major commercial kitchen components.

Sanitary Drainage and Venting System

Because liquids can change in properties depending on what equipment is used to make them, the venting and sanitary drainage system must be able to handle all types of liquid waste. Here are some liquids you might encounter:

* From refrigerators, air conditioners, and ice machines to drain pans and cool and plumbing lines.

* Drain fluids From commercial stainless steel sinks and other kitchen equipment.

* Cooking By-products, such as oil and grease, are subject to strict laws regarding disposal.

Commercial kitchen equipment might need to have a waste connection.

* An indirect connection connects to a private drain system which is then connected to the public sewer. A direct connection is used for cold and hot storage as well as food processing equipment. This connection should include a backflow preventer.

* Direct connections lead directly to the public sewer, as indicated by their name. These connections may require grease traps in certain cases. Direct connections are used for fixtures like indirect waste spills or floor drains, floor sinks, and mop sinks.

Commercial kitchen plumbing also includes plumbing vents. They connect waste pipes to an outdoor connection via the roof. They are used to remove sewage gases from indoor spaces.

Hot and Cold Water Supply

Nearly every kitchen appliance requires a water supply. There are certain requirements in terms of flow, temperature, pressure, and pressure. These requirements impact piping design. Also, water may be needed at a higher temperature (than in normal domestic hot water (DHW)) – which can lead to a larger boiler capability.

 

All establishments must meet the requirements of commercial kitchens A plumbing system and fixtures must be capable of providing potable water to all areas. It is vital to keep the potable water supply clean. This will prevent backflow, siphonage, and cross-connection.

To simplify the maintenance, isolation valves should be used. This is where the plumbing engineer considers necessary. Accessories such as balancing valves or thermostatic mixing valves are also possible.

Grease Interceptors

The  Best Management Practices provide guidelines for grease interceptor use. Grease interceptors should be used for any direct or indirect discharge that is likely to contain grease. This includes kitchen fixtures like woks, food scrap, and meat preparation sinks, as well as automatic dishwashers, pot washers, stock kettles.

Grease interceptors are required for plumbing fixtures. They can be found in many places, including restaurants, cafeterias or butcher shops, fish markets, delicatessens, clubs, and slaughterhouses. These are generally non-residential areas where grease can reach drainage systems.

 

Gas Supply for Kitchen Equipment

You can choose to use electricity or gas in your kitchen equipment. Pipe sizing is dependent on the pressure and flow rate of gas. The manufacturer’s input ratings determine the gas volume. It is usually measured in cubic feet per hour. These installations and accessories are subject to the  Fuel Gas Code.

 The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene might request construction documents to show the layout and specifications of kitchen equipment. They may also require plumbing installations and any other necessary complementary systems. If necessary, the Department may request another review during operation.

Guest Contributor: Peter Yordanov

Most of the households need hot running water on an everyday basis. Everything from washing, bathing, hand washing and even for dish cleaning there is the need of warm water, especially during the winter times. When you are using them round the clock there is a need for the replacement of the water heaters. It could be due to usage or the age of the tank that the replacement of the water heater is needed. While you can help prolong the life of your water heater with annual maintenance, chances are you’ll need to have the pre–existing tank replaced with a new one. Therefore, it’s important to know as a homeowner about the signs that would indicate when it’s time to replace your water heater. For the best water heater repair Temecula, you could click here.

 1.  The water heater is aged

There would be a moment where you need to replace the water heater you had been using. The major trouble in this area is not knowing when exactly to replace the heater. There are expiration dates that are mentioned and even though the heater might be working in the right condition, there is a need to replace it after the date mentioned so that there are no major risks involved with the heater acting up. For best emergency water heater repair you could call here. There are different ways in which you can figure out the age of the water heater and thus take the necessary steps.

2. Heater inlet and rusty water

Steel is one of the most strongest materials on the earth but it also faces the corrosion that actually spreads all across and slowly eats away the entire metal. The rust accumulation leads to water leaks in the future and hence has to be taken care of. So when you have rust coming in through the water, it is indicative of the water heater’s need to be repair. Rusting can occur in any water heater, even those that are only between eight and ten years old. One way to determine whether the rust is originating from your pipes or from the water tank is to drain several buckets worth of hot water from the tank. This, of course, would mean that it’s time to replace the water heater. 

3. Noise of water heater

Another very common sign of an aged water heater is the noise from the tank. With age, the rumbling noises increase and it starts consuming large amounts of water. Noise from a water heater could be due to sediments building up in them, or being not flushed regularly. Both of these reasons could cause an immediate effect. The best water heater repair Temecula is available right here.

4. Leaking issues

When the water heater is nearing its replacement period there is a huge chance for water leaks that happen in and around the tank. This could cause immense property damage if continued for a subsequent period of time. There are many reasons for water leaks like the immense number of heating cycles causing expansion of metals and so much more. Other reasons include fluctuations in temperature, loose fittings, and connections. If leaking is evident in either of those areas, there could be something wrong with the fittings, in which case you’ll need to have a plumber come and examine the issue. Therefore, if water is leaking directly from the tank, it’s time to replace your water heater.

 5. Non functionality of the heater

 The basic necessity of the water heater is the heating properties. If the water heater is nearing its time of replacement there is the possibility of losing this functionality by the water heater. You could call in the best emergency water heater repair here. The loss of heat in your water supply is likely down to one of three possible issues with your water heater like a broken heating component, or a broken thermostat. For any other adjustments, some of them could be fixed by you and might not need a replacement. 

 So these are five different signs which are indicative of a broken water heater in your home that needs replacement. Most of the times homeowners ignore these signs and sign up for more damages and potential risks involved with them. Always look out for all the different signs that the water heater is slyly presenting with. Regular maintenance and checking on the expiration dates could help in replacing the water heater at the right time. 

 The major function of a water heater is so much that a house needs its optimum functionality all around the day. Before fixing the woes through a do it yourself solution, be sure to check with a plumber for further assistance. Sometimes you might be ignoring some grave signs that professionals could search and detect. It is always better to replace the water heater at the right time so that further damage to the infrastructure and other goods could be avoided and worked through.

Author Bio:- Aimee Grace

Aimee is a marketing manager at EZ Plumbing & Restoration. She is very passionate in writing about discrete plumbing services and leakage detection as well as repair solutions.  Her vision is to educate people about the consequences of water and slab leaks at home or office and what they should do to repair them to avoid further water damage as well as property damage. 

Innovations have paved a way for smart devices to lead a convenient life. Plumbing industry is no different but only few people know about various tools used to fix the leakages. Stay tuned with the recent articles to know all about how to find water damage, slab leak, clogging, and ways to repair them, installation of new HVAC appliances in San Diego.